Public postsecondary education: academic exchange programs: plan.

California Community Colleges were removed from the bill entirely. The old version required each community college district to make every effort to have an exchange program at at least one campus by January 1, 2029. The definition of 'California public universities' that included community colleges was also deleted.

Specific CSU campus-level deadlines were removed: the requirement to have an exchange program with at least one Mexican public university at a minimum of 10 CSU campuses by January 31, 2027, and the effort to ensure programs at all CSU campuses by January 1, 2029.

The requirement for the office of the Chancellor of the CSU to facilitate distribution of sample educational materials and coordinate outreach (including with student services programs) was removed.

The prohibition on imposing a matching fund requirement by Mexico as a condition of implementing an exchange program was removed.

The provision authorizing California public universities to enter into tuition reciprocity agreements with participating universities was removed, along with the authorization to accept private contributions (for-profit and nonprofit) to support exchange programs.

The state-mandated local program reimbursement provision (Section 2, referencing Government Code Part 7) was removed, which is consistent with the removal of community college obligations that had triggered the mandate classification.

The California-Mexico Higher Education Development and Academic Exchange Program Fund is entirely eliminated. This removed the $40 million California contribution, the $20 million Mexico contribution (totaling $60 million), the private contributions provision, and the fund allocation mechanism.

The provision requiring each participating student to receive up to $15,000 for travel and living expenses is removed.

The specific requirement of up to 400 students from California attending Mexican universities and 400 students from Mexico attending California universities is removed. The bill now uses open-ended language about increasing participation without a numeric target.

A new Section 99111 requires CSU and UC to adopt a detailed plan that includes: a description of existing exchange programs and partnerships, strategies to increase student participation, goals for expanding partnerships, outreach and student support activities, and strategies for inter-campus communication and resource sharing.

The requirement that California public universities coordinate curriculum for the exchange programs is removed.

The sunset provision that would have repealed the chapter on January 1, 2032 is removed. The bill no longer has an expiration date.

The start date for requirements changes from the 2026-27 school year to the 2027-28 school year. The CSU deadline for having exchange programs at a minimum of 10 campuses shifts from January 1, 2027 to January 31, 2027 (a one-month extension).

The program is renamed from 'California-Mexico Higher Education Development and Academic Exchange Program' to 'California-Mexico Higher Education Academic Exchange Programs,' dropping 'Development' and making it plural, reflecting a shift from a single formal program to a broader framework of programs.

The state-mandated local program designation in the digest appears to change from 'yes' to 'no,' which would mean community college districts would not be eligible for state reimbursement of costs imposed by the bill, consistent with the removal of the dedicated funding mechanism.

The University of California is no longer subject to mandatory requirements. It is now only 'requested to' adopt a plan and make every effort to increase participation, while CSU and community college districts retain binding obligations.

The bill's framing changed from 'establish an educational exchange' to 'strengthen educational exchanges,' indicating it now builds on existing programs rather than creating them from scratch. The chapter title was changed to plural ('Programs').

CSU deadline for having exchange programs at 10 campuses moved from January 1, 2027 to January 31, 2027. The requirement that all CSU campuses have exchange programs by January 1, 2029 was softened to 'every effort shall be made.'

Community college districts changed from a hard mandate ('shall have an exchange program at a minimum of one campus by January 1, 2029') to 'make every effort to have an exchange program' by that date.

New requirement for the CSU Chancellor's office to facilitate distribution of sample educational materials and coordinate outreach with student services programs for the exchange programs.

A new Section 99113 explicitly authorizes California public universities to enter into tuition reciprocity agreements with participating Mexican universities, notwithstanding any other law.

The state-mandated local program designation changed from 'no' to 'yes,' meaning the bill now formally imposes a state-mandated local program on community college districts, triggering potential reimbursement obligations under the California Constitution.

Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez was added as a coauthor alongside Assembly Member Alvarez.

Changed from a mandatory requirement of 400 students exchanging each year to requiring universities to adopt a plan for up to 400 students, giving institutions more flexibility in meeting the target.

Added campus-level exchange program deadlines: CSU must have programs at minimum 10 campuses by January 1, 2027 and all campuses by January 1, 2029; each community college district must have a program at at least one campus by January 1, 2029; UC has an intent statement for each campus to have a program.

Added a requirement that California public universities coordinate curriculum for the exchange programs.

Added authority for California public universities to accept contributions from private sources, including for-profit and nonprofit organizations, with all such contributions deposited into the program fund.

Added Section 2 providing that if the Commission on State Mandates determines the act contains state-mandated costs, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts shall be made under Government Code Part 7. The state-mandated local program designation changed from no to yes.

Added a tuition reciprocity provision allowing each public university to enter into tuition reciprocity agreements with participating Mexican universities, notwithstanding any other law.